Kate Winslet Comments About Woody Allen Spark Outrage

She was asked about past allegations made against the director.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, actress Kate Winslet was asked if the "allegations against Woody Allen [gave her] pause" prior to signing on to his new film, Wonder Wheel. Her response, published Wednesday, September 6, is giving some Twitter users reason to pause, as they point out that she seemed to defend both Allen and fellow controversial director Roman Polanski.

An investigation was launched in 1992 after there was concern that Allen was sexually abusing his and Mia Farrow's daughter, Dylan Farrow; Dylan wrote about the experience in 2014. He was never formally charged with a crime and Allen vehemently denied Dylan’s accusations. Last year, her brother Ronan wrote an op-ed for The Hollywood Reporter supporting his sister, taking his father to task and calling out "the culture of acquiescence surrounding" the director.

“Of course one thinks about it," Kate said about the allegations. "But at the same time, I didn’t know Woody and I don’t know anything about that family. As the actor in the film, you just have to step away and say, I don’t know anything, really, and whether any of it is true or false. Having thought it all through, you put it to one side and just work with the person.”

She also said, "Woody Allen is an incredible director. So is Roman Polanski. I had an extraordinary working experience with both of those men, and that’s the truth." Polanski has been accused of assaulting three women over the years and in 1977, pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a 13 year-old girl. He fled the country before he could be sentenced and now lives in exile.

Kate’s comments have incited a strong condemnation by some on Twitter. Some people have noted that her side-step of the topic and saying she's not sure about the allegations is "appalling." And she's not the only actor whose choice to work with Allen has been challenged by some online. Selena Gomez and Dakota Fanning both faced backlash when news broke that they'd signed onto his newest project.

Some critics believe that, whether or not charges had been filed or an act of wrongdoing had been found by a court of law, allegations of sexual abuse should be enough to dissuade an actor from working with him. They believe that, by taking these roles, actors are sending a message that fails to support survivors of sexual abuse.